The 9 Best Clocking-In Systems for Your Business

Any business with shift-based employees knows the importance of accurately tracking working hours. While old pen and paper sign-ins can still do the job, modern digital clocking in systems, can reduce errors and lead to more accurate compensation for workers.

Based on our research, the best clocking-in system is Kelio (a Bodet subsidiary). It offers versatile clocking-in devices and intuitive mobile options, which is why our experts also gave it the top spot in our best time and attendance solutions ranking.

However, it’s not the only great option out there. A total of nine companies made our list, and you can find out what each is best for in our review. If you’re short of time, you can use our free quote tool and receive tailored quotes from reputable clocking-in system providers.

The 9 Best Clocking-In Systems

Here’s a quick rundown on the best clocking-in systems and how much they cost:

1. Kelio: Best All-rounder

Why we think Kelio is a good clocking-in system

Kelio’s clocking-in machines boast sleek, highly customisable touch screens that are intuitive and easy to use. Its state-of-the-art Kelio Visio X7 is even outsourced to competitors, and the efficiency of this device led our researchers to give it the top spot in our best fingerprint clocking-in machines ranking.

For a hands-free device, you’ll want to pick one of Kelio’s top facial recognition attendance systems, such as the FaceStation 2 Smart Face Recognition Terminal. The provider also packs card, fob and digital options, which tend to be cheaper since they’re based on simpler technology.

In addition to recording information, when an employee clocks in with Kelio’s system, it will also display their personal data, such as holidays, sick days and overtime. They will also be given the option to submit a request for time off. To know more about the provider, head over to our Kelio review.

How much does Kelio’s clocking-in system cost?

Pricing is tailored for each customer, so you’ll have to enquire with Kelio directly to receive a quote.

Alternatively, you can take a moment to use our quick, free quote-finding tool. Provide us with a few details about your business and you’ll be matched with trusted providers who will contact you with quotes tailored to your specific needs and industry. It takes just 30 seconds to complete and is completely free for UK-based businesses.

2. OneAdvanced: Best for Tailored Solutions

Why we think OneAdvanced is a good clocking-in system

OneAdvanced’s clocking-in machines are a part of this provider’s large range of workforce management solutions.

Its clocking-in machines are all designed and manufactured in-house and are built using the company’s fraud prevention technology, which will help curb ‘buddy punching’ at your business. Plus, if you link them with OneAdvanced’s integrated HR and payroll software, you can use their data to quickly and thoroughly inform your accounting team of any absences or overtime.

OneAdvanced also has a reputation for developing bespoke clocking-in solutions to suit its clients, often tailoring its technology for companies with more than 100 employees. There are options for a one-time licence or a subscription. To get better acquainted with this provider’s time and attendance technology, explore our Advanced review.

How much does OneAdvanced’s clocking-in system cost?

OneAdvanced’s pricing is tailored to each customer, and will depend on the specific clocking-in device you choose.

3. Planday: Best for Shift Planning

Why we think Planday is a good clocking-in system

Planday makes our list because of its easy clocking-in process, which it accomplishes without offering a physical clocking-in machine. Rather than your employees needing to use a key fob, card or enter their biometric data at a terminal at your premises, they can simply clock in remotely, from an app on their smartphone or tablet.

Planday works a bit like a social networking site, making shift data visible in real time. Employees can swap shifts or holidays, so management only needs to approve the swap, instead of organising it.

How much does Planday’s clocking-in system cost?

Planday costs £2.99 per user, per month, for its Starter plan, which includes features such as smart employee scheduling and individual/group communication.

Upgrading to the Plus plan (£3.99 per user, per month) adds holiday management, time tracking and advanced reporting. It is worth nothing that this will require you to set up a minimum of 10 users.

Beyond this, the Pro plan, available at a tailored rate, gives you advanced reports and access to rules and regulations for several countries, making it a good choice for international businesses.

4. ISGUS UK: Best for Customer Support

Why we think ISGUS UK is a good clocking-in system

ISGUS UK offers modular systems of real-time staff clocking and access control management. Data can be harvested for project management, holiday scheduling and payroll systems.

The clocking-in machines themselves are sleek and tamper-proof. But, the company also provides industry-specific clocking-in solutions, and excels at providing a mobile clocking-in app that allows flexible and remote working.

Its customer support reviews are excellent — particularly in urgent cases, when there is a guaranteed two-hour call-back time. It also uses GoTo Meetings for remote video help, which is ideal for when your team is working on a fully remote or hybrid basis.

Moreover, the clocking-in terminals are simple to use, while its mobile functions work well across a range of smart devices, tablets and computers. That said, the quote-based pricing and complexity of ISGUS UK’s clocking-in devices make this provider better-suited for companies with over 25 employees.

How much does ISGUS UK’s clocking-in system cost?

ISGUS UK’s pricing is tailored for each customer. For more information about how much you can expect to pay for your business’s next clocking-in device, check out our ultimate guide to time and attendance system pricing.

5. TimeTac: Best for User-friendliness

Why we think TimeTac is a good clocking-in system

TimeTac tailors its clocking-in devices to comply with the specific needs at your premises, and it will work alongside your office management team to adapt the system to the ongoing growth and development targets of your business.

TimeTac packs solutions that incorporate clocking-in machines, as well as others that allow your employees to clock in via a computer or smartphone. When using its solutions, your staff can refer to user manuals with a searchable help function, which increases its ease of use.

TimeTac doesn’t produce its own hardware: its self-proclaimed ‘Green IT philosophy’ means it’s dedicated to ensuring its solution is compatible with your existing IT infrastructure.

How much does TimeTac’s UK clocking-in system cost?

TimeTac’s pricing isn’t exactly straightforward because it charges separately for software and hardware, with each service offering different prices.

It charges a monthly base fee that starts at £2.50 per month if you pay annually, and £3 per month if you pay monthly. In addition to this, you’ll need to pay for each of the software solutions you choose. The options include:

• Leave management (from £2.80 per month per user)
• Employee time tracking (from £4.40 per month per user)
• Project time tracking (from £8.40 per month per user)

Finally, you’ll need to add on the cost of hardware or a virtual clocking in system:

• Mobile Android and iOS app: free
• Multiuser Android smartphone app: €10 per month
• Multiuser computer application: €10 per month
• Clocking-in terminals: between €29.90 and €49.90 per month

That said, you can try TimeTac free for 30 days.

NB: TimeTac keeps hardware pricing in euros to avoid constant currency fluctuations. UK customers are simply billed in EUR at checkout, and their bank or card provider handles the conversion.

6. Chronicle Online: Most Cost Effective Option

Why we think Chronicle Online is a good clocking-in system

Chronicle Online is cloud-based, allowing you to tap into key information relating to your staff on the go. For convenience, it can be downloaded and set up in as little as five minutes. This means the time and attendance data of your employees can be sent straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer.

Its intuitive clocking-in system helps you generate payroll reports and track attendance data in real time — backed up by durable machines, offered in both biometric and fob-based versions.

Chronicle Online is highly affordable, too, with workforce management rates starting at just £3 per employee, per month. This price also includes its smartphone-based clocking-in app.

How much does Chronicle Online’s clocking-in system cost?

Chronicle Online’s pricing packages start from £3 per employee, per month, with the following plans starting at this price:

• Chronicle Online (£3 per user, per month): shift planning, activity and cost centre analysis, holiday/sickness absence booking
• Smart Phone Clocking (£3 per user, per month): remote clocking-in via your employee’s smartphone (works with iOS and Android)
• Chronicle HR (£3 per user, per month): mail merge and manage your employees’ records (PC or laptop-compatible)
• Super User Access (£16 per user, per month): gives managers access to all data from their phone or desktop

Chronicle Online also offers Super User Access (£20 per user, per month), which allows you to manage records on the move.

As for the clocking-in machines themselves, the provider offers:

• PAYmate or IT11: £650
• Proximity: £1,250
• Biometrics: £1,550
• Waterproof: £1,650

If you’re unsure if Chronicle Online is the provider for you, take part in a 30-day free trial.

7. ClockRite: Best for Innovation

Why we think ClockRite is a good clocking-in system

ClockRite’s clocking-in devices send data straight to your computer, where it can be used for reporting functions. You can export figures directly to Sage (or an Excel spreadsheet) for payroll creation.

It has basic clocking in systems that simply measure time and attendance, as well as advanced systems, which pair time and attendance metrics with productivity and efficiency metrics.

The main downside is that ClockRite’s terminals come with a hefty price tag. The most advanced one costs more than £1,000 when you include tax.

How much does ClockRite’s clocking-in system cost?

Pricing will vary depending on what clocking-in systems and hardware you purchase. A PC-based clocking-in system — ClockRite’s cheapest solution — proximity attendance clocking system, starts at £270 + VAT. An advanced 4G connected time and attendance clocking system will start at £445 + VAT.

8. Securitas Technology: Best for Medium to Large Businesses

Why we think Securitas Technology is a good clocking-in system

With Securitas Technology, you can manage temporary and contract staff hours, set up remote clocking-in for employees and integrate card and biometric clocking-in machines into your time and attendance system. It also allows for shift scheduling and tracking of seasonal hours.

As standard, Securitas Technology offers its ST-25 clocking-in machine, which can be used both as a fingerprint or proximity device, with others being offered during the quotation process.

How much does Securitas Technology’s clocking-in system cost?

Securitas Technology divides its time and attendance packages into four tiers:

• Starter (up to 50 employees)
• Professional (50-100 employees)
• Advanced (also 50-100 employees)
• Enterprise (undisclosed number of employees).

The package structure bundles together companies with as few as five employees and others with more than 40, which is not ideal if your company is small or just starting out. It also gives more options to medium and large businesses.

The provider doesn’t advertise the pricing of each tier, nor what features each product will give you access to. This means you’ll have to contact the provider directly to learn more about its prices and features.

9. Auto Time Systems (ATS): Best for a Wide Range of Clocking-In Devices

Why we think ATS is a good clocking-in system

ATS offers an incredible range of clocking-in machines, from extremely basic card-punching devices, to slightly more advanced swipe-card and fob systems. At the higher-spec end of the scale, ATS provides a full range of sophisticated biometric clocking technology, including fingerprint and facial recognition devices.

ATS integrates with a range of other clocking-in device and time-tracking giants, such as Kelio, SAP, Sage and Suprema. This is helped by the fact that its machines are actually sourced from competitors (such as Kelio).

ATS has its own customer support team, who you can contact via telephone. You’ll be able to get hold of them during business hours from Monday to Friday, but remote login and site visits are also available.

How much does ATS’s clocking-in system cost?

ATS software and hardware prices are only available via quote.

What Are the Benefits of Using a Clocking-In System?

So, why use a clocking-in system? Here’s a rundown of the reasons to invest in one:

✔ Cut costs and save time

Clocking-in systems give you accurate information about when your staff begin and complete work. Accurate information means accurate wage bills. Getting rid of any perplexing payroll discrepancies will save you time from chasing up loose ends, which in turn can save you a lot of money.

✔ Manage lateness

Every employer has heard it. “It’s only five minutes, what’s the big deal?” Well, five minutes late for five days a week equals a big chunk of wasted wages over the course of a year. With the data gathered by clocking-in devices, you’ll be empowered to detect tardiness before it has a big financial impact on your business.

✔ Plan for the future

Clocking-in devices let you plan rotas and timesheets as far in advance as you feel necessary. It’s easy to work around employee absences and factor in sick days. You can cater to the individual schedules of each employee, keeping everyone happy.

✔ Streamline your workload

A clocking-in system will integrate with your HR records and payroll, cutting down on the time spent sifting through employee records. Now that clocking-in systems are compatible with smart devices, you can manage your business from anywhere.

Buying Guide: How To Choose the Best Clocking-In System

Every time-clocking system brings something different to the table, but the right option for your business will depend on your unique circumstances. It’s important to make a number of considerations before committing to a provider. Here are some factors to be aware of:

• Total costs: Price should be a top consideration. Establish a budget, then factor in the costs of hardware, like biometric terminals or tablets, ongoing software subscriptions, and one-off charges, like implementation or training fees.  
• Ease of use: A good clocking-in system should be simple for employees to interact with, whether they are clocking in via a device, card, PIN or mobile app. Prioritise systems with a low learning curve and test out the software beforehand if the provider offers free trials.
• Mobile apps: Look for systems offering native iOS and Android mobile apps, with features like shift reminders, missed clocking alerts and manager approval. This is even more important for field-based companies. 
• Third-party integrations: If you’re interested in integrating your time-clocking system with your existing software, consider systems that offer prebuilt integrations with systems like Sage or Xero. 
• Biometric options and security: If you’re serious about accuracy and reducing cases of buddy punching, prioritize clocking-in systems with biometric options like fingerprint scanning or facial recognition. We also recommend checking how the provider stores and encrypts biometric data.